Lauren Laverne has confirmed that she’s taking on a new show at BBC Radio 6 Music.
Laverne was diagnosed with cancer last year and stepped back from all her broadcasting commitments. She was given the all clear in November and has already returned to The One Show and Desert Island Discs.
She was due to return to BBC Radio 6 Music’s Breakfast Show this year, but today announced that she would instead host its mid-morning show.
“As listeners will know, I had a really tough 2024 and worried at times that I wouldn’t be able to return to the station I love so much,” she said.
“During my recovery I learned all over again about the power of music, the people you surround yourself with and the emotional support and joy radio can provide.
“I’m so grateful to be able to get back to doing what I love and sharing those things with our brilliant listeners every day.”
Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music added:
“It really is wonderful news that Lauren is feeling better and is ready to return to 6 Music. Like our listeners, we have missed her enormously and we can’t wait to have her back on air.”
It means that Nick Grimshaw, who’d originally stepped in for a week as temporary Breakfast Show host, will now get the role full-time.
“I’ve had the greatest four months covering for Lauren and I can’t wait to continue waking you up on 6 Music,” said Grimshaw.
“I want to say thank you to the listeners who’ve made me feel so welcome over the past few months and to Lauren’s fantastic team who have been imperative in making me so happy on air. 6 Music is a precious place, a station I love, I’m honestly honoured to be asked to work there and can’t wait to continue supplying the best new music from the world’s most interesting artists.”
Mary Anne Hobbs, who currently hosts the mid-morning show said that she’ll be taking a step back from February, calling it a “sabbatical”. However, she will be returning to the station in the Spring “with something new.”
“My agenda has been to change daytime radio at 6 Music. It was David Bowie who taught me that creative life is progression,” explained Hobbs.
“Once the work is complete… stand at the edge of everything you know and ask a different question. I’d like to thank every artist whose music and ideas have illuminated the show. I’d like to thank my production team, my Queens, Jax Coombes and Zoe Mullord. And of course, I want to send boundless love to my listeners, my family, thank you for sharing your invaluable time with me, it’s been a joy and a privilege to live with you. My daytime show will end in February, and I’ll return to 6 Music later this spring with something new… come with me.”
The new programmes will begin in February, with Nemone presenting the Mid-morning Breakfast Show in the interim, from Monday 13th January.
